WYLDER'S HAJVD.
415
no mistake — majority against ministers, three! Is that
the ' Times?' What does it say?"
"A long leader — no resignation — immediate dissolu-
tion. That is what I collect from it."
"How could they have miscalculated so? Swivell, I
see, voted in the majority; that's very odd; and, by
Jove, there's Surplice, too, and lie's good for seven votes.
Why his own paper was backing the ministers! What a
fellow that is! That accounts for it all. A difference of
fourteen votes."
And thus we went on, discussing this unexpected turn
of luck and reading snatches of the leading articles in
different interests upon the subject.
Then Lake, recollecting his letters, opened a large-
sealed envelope, with S. C. G. in the corner.
"This is from Gybes — let us see. Oh! before the
division. 'It looks a little fishy,' he says — well, so it
does — ' We may take the division to-night. Should it
prove adverse, you are to expect an immediate dissolu-
tion ; this on the best authority. I write to mention this,
as I may be too much hurried to-morrow.'"
We were discussing this note when Wealdon arrived.
"Well, Captain; great news, sir. The best thing, I
take it, could have happened ministers, ha, ha, ha! A
rotten house — down with it — blow it up — three votes
only — but as good as three hundred, for the purpose —
of the three hundred, grant but three, you know — of
course, they don't think of resigning."
"Oh, dear, no—an immediate dissolution. Read
that," said Lake, tossing Gybes' note to him.
"Ho, then, we'll have the writs down hot and heavy.
We must be sharp. The sheriff's^ill right; that's a
point. You must not lose an hou^j't getting your com-
mittee together, and printing yo^ address.''
"Who's on the oiher side?"